Simmons was sentenced for one gross misdemeanor offense of Intentional Failure to Maintain Adequate Records by District Court Judge Jennifer Togliatti. Togliatti sentenced Simmons to 364 days incarceration, suspended, performance of 40 hours of community service and payment of $48,430 in restitution. The fraud occurred between July 2015 and February 2016.

“Tiffany Simmons used her position as an office manager to obtain money for her own benefit,” said Laxalt. “These monies are needed by Medicaid to ensure that necessary services are being provided to Nevada’s Medicaid recipients."

The investigation began after the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) received information that Simmons was causing the submission of false claims through her position as office manager at Aaron Williams Therapy, LLC (AWT). The investigation revealed that Simmons had failed to ensure there was proper documentation, including progress notes, for the services she allegedly provided to Medicaid recipients by AWT. The documentation should have been in place to substantiate the claims made to Nevada Medicaid. Simmons then withdrew money from AWT’s bank account for the claims she submitted that did not have documentation. Without the necessary documentation, there was nothing to support the services allegedly provided to the Medicaid recipients.

The MFCU investigates and prosecutes financial fraud by those providing healthcare services or goods to Medicaid patients. The MFCU also investigates and prosecutes instances of elder abuse or neglect. Persons convicted of Medicaid fraud may also be administratively excluded from future Medicaid and Medicare participation. Anyone wishing to report suspicions regarding any of these concerns may contact the MFCU at 702-486-3420 or 775-684-1100.